Atio Castillo’s Family Alarmed that Primary Suspect John Paul Solano is Released

A day after hazing victim Horacio Castillo III was buried, the primary suspect in his death was released from custody. John Paul Solano was freed by the Department of Justice pending full investigation of the case. This development dismayed the Castillo family.

Hazing suspect John Paul Solano leaving his cell at the NBI after his release Thursday. (Ben Nabong/Rappler photo)

Amid speculation of a whitewash in the killing of Atio Castillo, we cannot blame his family’s concern over this development. Nahuli na pinakawalan pa, as people would say. But the DOJ said this is part of due process.

Although John Paul Solano, along with several other members of Aegis Juris fraternity, have been charged with murder and other criminal cases in the death of Horacio Castillo III, the DOJ said these charges still have to be investigated. The DOJ has set a preliminary investigation on Oct. 4 and 9, 2017.

For his part, John Paul Solano promised to tell the truth during the preliminary investigation as he again expressed his condolences to the family of Castillo.

“Again I extend my deepest condolences to (Castillo’s) parents,” Solano said as quoted by the Inquirer. “And also, rest assured I will shed light (on what happened). When it comes to the preliminary investigations, I will tell the truth.”

Meanwhile, the Castillo family met with DOJ secretary Vitaliano Aguirre on Thursday to set a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte. The family want to personally talk to Duterte to make sure that they would get justice for Atio’s death.